How to Host a Little Girl's Sleepover (9 Steps)

Decide how many kids you can handle. The general rule for kids' birthday parties is one child for every year of the child's life; so six kids for a 6-year-old's birthday, for example -- but this may be too many to handle all night long. If there's another adult in the house, a three to one kid-to-adult ratio might work; but if you're by yourself, handling six little ones might be overwhelming. Ask your daughter to make a list of possible candidates to start, so you know how many she expects to have.
Send invitations to the kids you think can handle the sleepover -- and the kids you think you can handle. Ideally, you'll know the invitees already, since you'll have had them over for shorter play dates. That way, you'll know who might be too hyperactive, frightened or shy to handle an all-nighter. In the invitation, provide the date, the time the party will begin and end, your phone number and address, and any items the girls will need to bring, such as sleeping bags or swimsuits, for example. Ask each family to RSVP at least a week before the big night, so you'll have a head count for preparing food and sleeping arrangements.
Plan an activity that involves movement early in the evening, to help the girls to get their sillies out. If you have a park nearby, this might involve a soccer game or a game of Frisbee; if you have a car large enough, it could also include a trip to an amusement park or a skate party. Whatever you plan to do, be sure to inform the girls' parents, just in case there are any issues you need to be prepared for. For example, one child may need an inhaler when she runs a lot; another might not be able to swim, which could nix the idea of a swimming adventure. When it gets late, have a quieter activity planned, such as a movie night or a relatively mellow series of games.
Stock up on easy-to-prepare foods. You may be tempted to treat everyone to home-cooked lasagna or other special treats -- but as soon as the fun starts, you're likely going to find very little time for such gourmet options. Think simple: pizza or nachos for dinner, popcorn or cheese and crackers for snacks, and toaster waffles for breakfast.
Prepare a place for sleeping that will allow you some peace and quiet -- while still being able to keep a close eye on the action. If you have a den in the basement or an attic playroom, that might be a preferable place for sleeping versus your daughter's bedroom just next to yours. You might inform the girls that they're to go to bed at a certain hour -- but in the excitement, don't expect them to comply.
Get a good night's sleep the night before the sleepover. That goes for both you and your daughter -- who is likely to spend most of the sleepover night giggling with her buddies.
Talk to each parent as they drop off their daughter, to get emergency phone numbers and find out about any dietary needs or special circumstances you might need to know about. Hopefully the parents will have let you know about those diet issues when they RSVP'd, but better late than never.
Get as much help as you can from other family members in the house. You might get your daughter's older sister to help with making popcorn, or your neighbor to help keep an eye out for your brood when you're running around the local park.
Check on the group often -- especially around bedtime. When it gets close to sleep time, you may find some girls need a little extra attention, a night light or help getting into their pajamas. Nip any bullying or making-fun in the bud to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and happy as they drift off to sleep.
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